Career Catalyst Chronicles

  Hi,  I’m Jayatheertha K P 👋 Human Resource Adviser | Author | Career Coach With over 30 years of experience in HR, leadership development, and mentoring professionals, I help people unlock their full potential and thrive in today’s ever-changing workplace. My books are practical, insight-driven, and written to guide you through interviews, workplace challenges, and long-term career growth, especially in the AI-driven era. 📚 Explore my ebooks below 👇 and start building a confident, future-ready career today. 📘 Featured Books  ✅ Ace Your Interview: Proven Answers to Top Interview Questions 🎯 Get real-world strategies, sample answers, and confidence boosters to crack every stage of your job interview. 👉 Download Now ✅ Surviving the AI-Powered Recession 💡 A survival toolkit for job seekers and professionals facing economic and technological disruption. 👉 Read the Guide ✅ Conquering the Corporate Jungle 🧭 From handling toxic bosses to tric...

  Hi, I have been thinking a lot about this pattern we are seeing: a large number of new engineering graduates entering the market each year, but many of them are unable to find work. Did you know that India produces over 15 lakh (1.5 million) engineering graduates every year? Nearly 4 to 5 lakh of those are in computer science, information technology, or software-related fields. However, only about 2 to 2.5 lakh people are employed in core software roles. That's a massive gap. So naturally, I started asking myself: What is going on here? The Talent Surplus vs. Skill Deficit According to what I have seen and heard from recruiters, the most common feedback is: "There are plenty of graduates, but very few job-ready candidates." And it is not just my opinion; according to a NASSCOM report , just 20-25% of engineering graduates are regarded as marketable for software employment straight out of college. That number struck me. Even Infosys co-founder N.R. Narayana Murthy stated...

  Let me begin by saying this: I used to believe that arriving early, really early, was the best way to achieve professional success. You know, "the early bird gets the worm," "first in, last out," and all those hustle quotes that appear on our LinkedIn feeds. "I  truly believed that arriving 30 to 45 minutes before office hours would demonstrate dedication and help me finish my tasks well ahead of time." But one day, I observed something odd: a few polite smiles, an awkward nod, and, finally, someone sarcastically commented, "Wow, you're here before the cleaning staff!" I just laughed it off... But deep inside, I began to wonder: can being too early be a problem? Turns out, it can. Let’s unpack this together, why arriving too early might actually backfire at work, what the research says, and how to strike the right balance. Is the culture of "early is better" always true? We live in a hustle culture that encourages overachieve...

  Let’s be honest—feeling stuck in a boring, unstructured job where your work goes unnoticed can feel like career quicksand. You clock in, zone out, and clock out—day after day—while your potential sits idle. On the flip side, the internet is flooded with courses promising fast-track success, many of which are scams hiding behind glossy landing pages. So what’s worse? Sitting still and waiting to be let go... or taking a chance and ending up with a useless certificate? The good news? There’s a smarter, safer path forward— and it starts with being intentional, not impulsive . The Quiet Crisis of Career Stagnation A 2023 Gallup report found that only 23% of employees worldwide feel engaged at work , while the rest are either indifferent or actively disengaged. This “quiet quitting” trend isn’t just about laziness—it often stems from a lack of feedback, unclear expectations, and zero opportunities to grow. If your current role lacks structure, progress tracking, or meaningful ...

Lately, I've found myself asking a question I hear echoed in every team meeting, casual chat, and LinkedIn post: Why is everyone so burnt out? Even the most passionate, capable colleagues are running on empty. It’s not just the Monday blues anymore. It feels deeper, more widespread. And it’s not just us—research backs this up. A 2021 study by McKinsey & Company revealed that nearly 50% of employees reported feeling at least somewhat burned out. Fast forward to 2024, and Gallup's State of the Global Workplace report suggests that employee stress remains at a record high. We’re witnessing a quiet crisis—one that isn’t loud or dramatic, but slowly eroding well-being, productivity, and motivation across industries. The Shift from Fulfilment to Fatigue When I entered the workforce years ago, we talked about chasing passion, finding purpose, and climbing the career ladder. Work was stressful, yes, but it also held the promise of growth and fulfilment. That sentiment seems harder...

  In just a few short years, artificial intelligence (AI) has moved from sci-fi fantasy and corporate labs to the heart of everyday human experience. Without us even realizing it, AI is woven into the fabric of our lives—from how we shop, work, learn, and socialize, to how we drive, manage health, and entertain ourselves. Its growing presence is subtle yet profound, nudging us toward a future where machine intelligence complements human capability in nearly every domain. Smart Assistants in Your Pocket Every time you say “Hey Siri,” “OK Google,” or “Alexa,” you’re interacting with AI. Virtual assistants are among the most common and visible uses of AI, handling everything from setting reminders to answering questions, controlling home devices, and navigating routes. Natural language processing (NLP), the AI tech behind it, has become impressively sophisticated, allowing for conversations that feel increasingly human-like. What was once a novelty is now a necessity. According to St...